Machine for cutting corn-fodder



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. P. J. JORDAN.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING CORN FODDER'.

No. 407,827, Patented July 30, 1889.

' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Mode 1.)

' P. J. JORDAN.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING CORN FODDER. No. 407,827.

Patented July 30, 1889.

IIIIIV umm ilm PETER J. JORDAN, OF

WAKEFIELD, KANSAS.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING CORN-FODDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 407,827, dated July 30, 1889.

Application filed November 16, 1888. Serial No. 291,056- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern):

Be it known that 1, PETER J. JORDAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVakefield, in the county of Clay and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Cutting Corn-Fodder, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for cutting corn-fodder; andit consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. Fig. 3 .is a detail longitudinal section showing the hook for supporting the platform in a normally-horizontal position. Fig. 4 is a detail View of the sickle or cutting-knife and adjacent parts. Fig. 5is a detail section showing the belt for transmitting motion to the reel.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A designates the platforn1,having the j ournal-boXes B B secured to its under side, in which the axle O is mounted. The said axle is angular in cross-section except in the journal-boxes, and the carrying-wheels are rigidly secured thereto, so that as the machine is drawn over the ground the axle will be rotated, as will be readily understood.

D designates a grooved pulley rigidly secured to the axle and projecting through a longitudinal slot E in the platform. A belt F is passed around this pulley and extends through an opening G in the platform in advance of the pulley and around the reel-shaft, as will be presently more particularly referred to.

The platform is provided 011 its upper side with a railing H, whichexten ds partly across thefront end of the platform and along the side edges of the same, as shown. The railing at the left side of the platform is set at an incline, as shown most clearly in Fig. so that in case the cornstalks do not fall directly backward after being out they will fall upon the said railing and be deflected by it onto the platform.

I designates a slotted wheel-frame, which is hinged at its rear end to the under side of the platform near the front end of the same, and which carries the front wheel J, as shown. This frame is further provided near its rear end with a transverse pin K, which is engaged by a hook L, pivoted to the platform,

so as to hold the platform and wheel-frame normally together and prevent the premature dumping of the cornstalks directed on the platform. The hook, it will be readily understood, is sufficiently elastic to admit of its being sprung over the stud K, and at the same time is sufficiently rigid to hold the parts securely against accidental disengagement.

The platformis provided in its front edge near its left side with a semicircular notch or recess M, and the knife N is secured to .the

under side of the platform and has its front end corresponding in shape to the said notch and substantially registering therewith. The said knife consists of a shank O, which is bolted to the under side of the platform, and a U-shaped portion P at the front end of the shank, which is provided at its end with loops Q, adapted to engage hooks R on the front edge of the platform to secure the knife in its operative position. The edge of this U-shaped portion is sharpened, as shown, and projects slightly beyond the edge of the notch, so as to cut the stalks.

S designates the reel, consisting of the shaft T, having its lower end swiveled in the platform adjacent to the notch M, and having its upper end j ournaled in and extended through the end of the railing H. The reel-arms U are secured to the upper end of the reel-shaft and radiate therefrom, and similar b ut smaller reel-arms B are secured to the shaft near its lower end and radiate therefrom, as shown. The reel-shaft is further provided near its lower end wit-h an annular groove W, in which the belt F fits, as clearly shown.

In operation the machine is drawn along the field adjacent to the row of cornstalks, so that the notch M will be in the direct line of the row. the axle is rotated, as before stated, and the belt F thereby caused to transmit motion from the pulley D to the reelshaft, and consequently rotate the reel-arms. As the reelarms are rotated they will engage the cornstalks and force the same over toward the platform, and the knife, being drawn against the lower portion of the stalks by the forward motion of the machine, will sever the stalks, as will be readily understood. As the stalks .As the machine is drawn along are out they fall over upon the platform and the driver moves them over against the railing at the right-hand side of the machine until a sufficient number have been collected to form a shock. The hook L is then released, when the weight of the collected cornstalks will cause the platform to turn on the axlebearings and dump the stalks, as will be readily understood. The hinged connection between the wheel-frame I and the platform allows the said frame to remain horizontal at all times; so that the draft-animals cannot be irritated by unnecessary movements of the harness.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided a very simple and efficient machine for cutting cornstalks. The machine is free of complicated and heavy gearing, so that the draft upon the animals will be very light, while'the arrangement of parts is such that no obstruction is presented to the falling stalks after they are cut.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of the platform, the knife secured to the front edge of the same, the reel erected on the platform adjacent to the knife, with its arms extending over the knife, the railing upon the platform extending across the front end of the same and along the sides, the railing on the side adjacent to the knife being inclined, as set forth.

2. The combination of the platform having the notch M in its front end, the hooks R, secured to the front edge of the platform at each side of the notch, and the knife having a shank bolted to the under side of the platform, and a U-shaped portion substantially registering with the notch and having loops at its end engaging the hooks R, the edge of said U-shaped portion being projected beyond the edge of the platform and sharpened, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PETER J. JORDAN.

Witnesses:

JOEL B. WARE, JAMES THOMPSON. 

